Tonight I went to install light mounts on my pillars.. First 3 bolts came out.. The third just spun and spun..

Got the bolt out and the bracket up with just one bolt on that side..and in process of getting bolt out it seems I cracked my windsheild! So now I have a hole under my bracket that a bolt won't thread into and a cracked windshield. FML lol

I can't be the only one with a mod fail. Let's year then horror stories

 

Okay I'll regrettably admit mine.

Spent 8 hours in the sun putting my lift on with only hand tools at my brothers house. I got it done just in time to pick up my GF and head to the car cruise that night. While standing back and admiring my lift I realized I put the rear track bar on backwards. I was very embarrassed to say the least, I was just so excited earlier that day during the install! That night after she fell asleep I went out and spent two hours flipping it in my parking spot. Due to how I installed the bolts I basically had to tear the whole rear end apart with only my stock scissor jack and bricks for jack stands!

I learned my lesson, more patience, test fit parts, and finally I just picked up a 1/2" electric impact gun!

 

Our mods are not as serious as yours, but none the less, We've had nothing but issues with the Bestop bikini setup.. Straps were too short from the factory, constant flittering in the roof because of these straps, leaking issue and more.
For the past year and when I have time, I've been altering the top myself.. adding (stitching new and longer straps which reduced the flittering in the ****pit.. and now only to have the exposed strapping around the speaker bar to rip.. but this time the job is a bit bigger than I can handle.. and I'll be using nylon strapping and not the poly/cotton blend.. Stitch In Time By 9
One thing's clear when one owns a jeep, They must be prepared to make alterations.. look for my red straps on a black bikini write up just as soon as I can get the bikini over to the upholstery shop.

 

Mopar Sunbonnet, which is made by Bestop, is a hugely better alternative. There are a number of threads on this forum where the occasional person tries to defend their choice of the Bestop bikini, but tales like yours continue to proliferate. I've driven mine on extended trips across the country and it does great, even in heavy downpours (as long as you don't stop, since the back is open). I also use the Windjammer (which doesn't seal up the back on a four door) and the Duster (excellent product--get one!) ...

 

I had one of mine do that when the Jeep was new. I needed to occasionally remove and install them when installing a bracket for running doors off. Since under warranty, I took it in for repair and they could not duplicate it, and neither could I then! :-( But, I think perhaps some corrosion set in locking the nutsert into place. Regardless, I put the bracket on and leave it on.

 

I took off my "Jeep" letters to paint them black, first with plasti-dip (turned out so horrible I peeled and retried a few times, never did dry smooth, always dimpled to crap) and then with flat black krylon fusion, which looked ok for a bit but chipped off in a few places, so argh. Ended up ordering a new set of $8 black "jeep" letters for it, wasted $20 on plasti dip and spray paint (well not a total waste on the spray paint as it is useful for touching up the bumpers) just to buy solid black letters.

Gotta friggen heat gun them off a 2nd time and stick on new again (which is a PITA to get them level and centered!), ok sure its not the most expensive **** up, but it is damn annoying!

 

Excellent recommendations and images.. and this isn't the first time I've heard of the mopar version.. Now this has me thinking.. should we invest in having the seams and straps restitched or invest in the Mopar version.. Have to ponder that one..

Our Jammer is the wrap around version.. thou I don't like that it's not like the older TJ version where the window is mesh and the plastic can be zipped up.. The duster is the same.. inclosed thou it had a safety issues last year.. so I created a hard shell cover just under the duster.. made from a discarded plastic bedliner.

Thou I was wondering if the forward two piece freedom top would be suitable with the jammer and duster there after..

 

OP...sorry about the issues and I do apologize for this but I have to say...

These are AMAZING pics.

 

Thanks! You should check out my videos ...

Explore Your World: http://youtu.be/0Yq51rHh8MY

 

For me, so far...and I do stress the so far, my only screw-up was when I installed my rear bumper and tire carrier along with license plate relocation. I failed to remove the stock plate holder while the bumper was off. I went to remove it after and the bottom bolts were impossible to get to. It was the end of the day and I was tired so I ended up taking a hammer and chisel to the bolts on a brand new Jeep. My wife was watching me just shaking her head. Got it done though and a few drops of touch up paint and it's now respectable.